ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

HarrisonElementary School is one of eight Omaha Public Schools (OPS) that has earned the ENERGY STAR after the District completed benchmarking all 87 of its buildings in early 2010. Harrison uses a geothermal heating and cooling system and has occupancy sensors in offices and bathrooms that ensure lights are off when people are not present.Harrison also has a Wellness Committee comprised of teachers who focus on going green. The committee has developed a school-wide recycling program and works to educate students throughout the process.

In 2010, the OmahaPublicSchool District partnered with Verdis Group, an Omaha sustainability consultancy and ENERGY STAR partner, to conduct an energy study of all their buildings.The analysis identified several opportunities for energy and resource efficiency improvements, many of which can be pursued at little to no cost to the District.

To continue its commitment to becoming more energy efficient, OPS is focusing on a complete lighting retrofit estimated to save the District $500,000 per year once complete. A broader strategy will identify and prioritize additional opportunities going forward. Other district-wide initiatives in consideration include: changing computer settings, installing faucet aerators, replacing inefficient HVAC equipment, and sparking behavior changes that will have a positive impact.

Communications:

Unavailable

Testimonial:

"We are immensely proud of the great work of our ENERGY STAR labeled schools to be more efficient and conserve energy and resources.They are truly leading the way in not only Omaha but in Nebraska.Benchmarking all 87 of the District's schools gives us a clear picture of our energy consumption and will help us to make better energy management decisions as we move forward.This has been an extremely positive endeavor for us thus far and our Green Schools Initiative will ensure that energy and resource efficiency and conservation is a key element to everything we do in the future."

Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Omaha Public Schools or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.